Publication details

A brief analysis of US space employment

Authors

MACHAY Martin

Year of publication 2012
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Space Policy
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Economics and Administration

Citation
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2012.02.004
Field Management and administrative
Keywords space employment; productivity; wages; space industry; space policy
Description Space industry and economy can attract employees from other industries in two ways. First, on the basis of individual preferences and motivations. Second, on the basis of higher wage. Statistical evidence suggests the latter. Moreover wages do not reflect the productivity. NASA employees earn much more than employees in judicial or medical sphere. This does not match the social importance of these activities. Space employs much more people that it was stated by the OECD. The space vehicle manufacturing can be labeled like space industry while all other space activities belong to the space economy. Together space employs almost half a million people in the US. One billion of dollars given to the NASA creates up to 24 thousand vacancies in space industry and also provides room for another 40 thousand in space economy in the long-run. Current changes in the US national space program suggest a decrease of $1.6 billion per year. That implies the loss of up to 39 thousand vacancies in space industry.

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